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Welcome to the ENSP newsletter, your source of information on tobacco control across the WHO European Region. At ENSP, our mission is to end the tobacco epidemic and beat cancer through collaborative efforts, research, and advocacy.
Join us in our journey to achieve a tobacco- and nicotine-free world! |
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Health organisations urge EU action on youth nicotine addiction |
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Nicotine addiction among young people is no longer a future risk, becoming an urgent concern to be acted upon. This open letter brings together a broad coalition of European and international health organisations to call for a stronger, more coherent response at the EU level.
As new nicotine products continue to evolve and reach younger audiences, the letter underlines the need for earlier prevention strategies, sustained protection, and proactive regulation able to keep pace with the reality of today’s market. Addressing nicotine addiction at its source is key to avoiding a new generation locked into long-term dependence.
The joint letter highlights that the necessary step toward achieving a tobacco-free generation is protecting youth from all forms of nicotine use. |
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Save the date for the
11th edition of the European Conference on Tobacco Control |
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This year's conference calls for a shift from simply preventing youth nicotine use to actively protecting the next generation through urgent and stronger collective action.
More details will follow soon... |
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The Call for Abstracts is now open! |
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We welcome abstract submissions on a wide range of topics related to tobacco control, including but not limited to cutting-edge research in tobacco and nicotine prevention and cessation, policy developments and their impact on public health, addressing health disparities and social determinants of tobacco use, innovations in tobacco control strategies and technology or means of understanding and countering tobacco industry tactics. Accepted abstracts will be invited for workshops, oral and poster presentations. Participate and share your knowledge with others!
The deadline for submissions is 1st of September 2026, at 23:59 CET.
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All questions and collaboration proposals should be addressed to the ENSP Secretariat. |
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News from across the Network |
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Important milestone for the UK tobacco endgame:
Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 |
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The UK's new law marks a major shift in tobacco control, aiming to create a “smoke-free generation” by permanently banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, effectively raising the legal age year by year so that youth can never legally buy cigarettes. Alongside this generational ban, the law introduces a broad regulatory framework for tobacco and nicotine products, including tighter controls on advertising, promotion, packaging, and retail licensing, as well as new powers to regulate vape flavours, displays, and branding to reduce their appeal to children while still supporting adult smokers trying to quit.
The Act also strengthens oversight of products entering the market and expands smoke-free and vape-free environments, positioning the UK at the forefront of global tobacco policy innovation. |
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Hong Kong imposes immediate ban related to vape possession |
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Hong Kong has enacted a strict city-wide ban on the public possession and use of e-cigarettes and other novel products, effective immediately from 30 April 2026, with no transition period. Active enforcement began immediately, with fixed fines for public possession and heavier penalties, including imprisonment, for more serious offences involving larger quantities. The measure builds on existing bans on import, sale, and promotion, closing remaining loopholes as part of a broader effort to curb nicotine use. |
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Belgium moves forward with
a total ban on e-cigarette flavours
from September 2028 |
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Belgium is tightening its regulation of vaping products with a new measure banning all flavours (except tobacco flavour) in electronic cigarettes, aimed primarily at reducing their appeal to young people, from September 1st 2028.
This decision is part of a broader public health strategy led by Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke to curb nicotine addiction and prevent a new generation from becoming dependent, especially as youth vaping has increased in recent years.
The measure also aligns Belgium with countries like the Netherlands, where similar restrictions have already contributed to a decline in vaping. |
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Global Youth Voices AI Boot Camp in Tobacco Control, Bangkok |
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The AI Boot Camp by Global Youth Voices, organised from 16-18 April in Bangkok, convened young advocates to explore how artificial intelligence can be used to strengthen tobacco control, from sharpening advocacy messages to countering industry tactics and increasing the reach of youth-led campaigns. Through hands-on discussions and exchanges, participants identified concrete ways to integrate AI into their work while reinforcing the value of meaningful youth engagement in policy spaces. As part of GYV, the ENSP contributed to the initiative, supporting this forward-looking approach to advocacy and capacity building. |
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All publications from the TPC Journal can be found here. |
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Josephine T. Hinds, Eugene M. Talbot, Ollie Ganz, Cristine D. Delnevo
Maryam Ibrahim, Meghan B. Moran, Lauren Czaplicki, Ryan D. Kennedy, Dana Tfayli, Gideon P. Naudé, Justin C. Strickland, Matthew W. Johnson
Avery Roberson, Kinsey Pebley, K. Michael Cummings, Vincent Talbot, Asia A. Bliss, Stephanie Stansell, Benjamin A. Toll
Hussein A. Faeq, Rosemary Hiscock, Raouf Alebshehy
Matteo Cerquetella, Vincenzo Zagà, Valentino Gardi, Andrea Marchegiani, Claudia Vitturini, Maria Sofia Cattaruzza
Ahmed Salem, Fanar Alsmarat, Tasneem Al-Awaida, Layth Al-Ramahi, Yousef Shawawrah |
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Do you have an event coming up or content to promote? Would you like to share your best practices or inform us about local initiatives?
Share your work and promote your activities among 3.500+ colleagues in Europe and around the globe via The Network - ENSP newsletter |
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